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Whitfield County board approves SPLOST park projects, budget amendments and several contracts; three liquor applications tabled
Summary
At its June 14, 2021 meeting the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners approved SPLOST-funded park lighting and bleacher contracts, budget amendments including $301,393.50 in COVID hazard pay for firefighters, several equipment and design contracts and two alcohol licenses; three other alcohol applications were tabled pending sheriff's background checks.
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners on June 14 approved multiple contracts and budget amendments tied to the county's SPLOST program and other capital needs, and tabled three alcohol-license applications while awaiting background checks.
Chairman Jevin Jensen opened the meeting at the Wink Theatre and said local COVID-19 hospitalizations and new cases had decreased while vaccinations had increased; he invited public input on American Rescue Plan Recovery Fund ideas including sewer expansion, HVAC upgrades, mobile vaccinations and broadband expansion.
On motions from the board, commissioners approved a 2020 budget amendment of $301,393.50 to provide COVID hazard pay to the Fire Department, and a 2021 amendment transferring $30,791 into capital projects to buy a Public Works vehicle. The board also approved a $200,000 payment to the City of Dalton under the 2020 service delivery agreement for road paving.
Several SPLOST-funded parks and capital projects moved forward. The board accepted a $246,000 bid from Musco for field lighting at Riverbend Park and a $169,061 bid from Outdoor Aluminum for bleachers at the same park. It approved a $44,678 bid from Felker Construction for Miracle Field repairs and awarded a supplemental design work order to Atlas for $21,190 to address GDOT-required redesign and drainage at the Maple Grove/Edwards Park entrance. The board also approved entering into a $160,000 contract with Carter-Watkins for architectural services to renovate the Dalton-Whitfield library (SPLOST 2020) and authorized the purchase of a 2021 Ford Explorer at the state contract price of $32,533 to replace an aging vehicle.
The board approved a cybersecurity assessment contract with Global Perceptive Solutions, Inc. for $9,625 to evaluate the county's network security controls. It accepted a donation of a restored #2 gun carriage and caisson from the Blue and Gray Educational Society for placement at Rocky Face Ridge Park and approved reimbursing the donor's transportation costs. The board also agreed to provide up to $19,500 to WLA Studio to create a preservation and maintenance plan for Prater's Mill.
On alcohol licensing, the board approved a malt beverage license for Don Lolos Mexican Restaurant (3590 S. Dixie Hwy, Dalton) and a malt beverage/wine license for Quality Convenience Mart (519 Reed Road). The board tabled the applications for Autry's Diner, Brotherhood Billiards and Cracker Barrel because background checks requested from the Sheriff's Office had not been returned; Rick Autry told the board his businesses had completed the paperwork and, he said, "had their fingerprints taken this morning at the Sheriff's Office for completion of their applications." The board noted it could call a special meeting when the sheriff's reports are submitted.
The board also approved designating the Dalton Convention Center as a temporary alternative facility for certain Whitfield County Superior Court sessions while courthouse renovations continue; the renovation is expected to be complete before the end of 2021. The meeting concluded after the board met in executive session to discuss personnel and real estate matters.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: passed 4-0 (Commissioners Jones, Thomas, Staten, Robbins) - May 10, 2021 minutes: passed 4-0 - Don Lolos Mexican Restaurant (malt beverage): approved 4-0 - Quality Convenience Mart (malt beverage/wine): approved 4-0 - Autry's Diner, Brotherhood Billiards, Cracker Barrel (alcohol apps): tabled 4-0 pending sheriff's background checks - 2020 budget amendment (COVID hazard pay to Fire Dept): approved 4-0; $301,393.50 - 2021 budget amendment (vehicle transfer): approved 4-0; $30,791 - Payment to City of Dalton (service delivery): approved 4-0; $200,000 - Atlas supplemental design (Maple Grove): approved 4-0; $21,190 - Carter-Watkins architectural services (library): approved 4-0; $160,000 - Vehicle purchase (2021 Ford Explorer): approved 4-0; $32,533 - Musco field lighting (Riverbend Park): approved 4-0; $246,000 - Outdoor Aluminum bleachers (Riverbend Park): approved 4-0; $169,061 - Felker Construction (Miracle Field repair): approved 4-0; $44,678 - Truck shed labor (Keith Burnette Enterprises): approved 4-0; $66,500 (County to supply lumber) - Surplus 2005 International fire engine (sale on GovDeals): approved 3-0 - Global Perceptive Solutions cybersecurity assessment: approved 3-0; $9,625 - Acceptance of donated gun carriage and caisson: approved 3-0 - Prater's Mill master plan funding (WLA Studio): approved 3-0; up to $19,500 - Resolution designating Dalton Convention Center as temporary alternative court facility: approved 3-0
Context and next steps: Several items use 2020 voter-approved SPLOST funds or state contract pricing; the board indicated it could call a special meeting to act on alcohol applications once the Sheriff's Office returns background reports. The courthouse renovation timeline in the approved resolution anticipates completion before the end of 2021.
